Good Bye Chad Johnson, Hello Chad Ocho Cinco

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, has legally changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco. As a result, the NFL has agreed to recognize his new legal name, and the Bengal's number 85 jersey will now proudly read 'Ocho Cinco' as opposed to 'Johnson.' When asked to comment about the name change, Johnson...Ocho Cinco responded,

"It's something I don't think anyone has ever done before, Have I ever had a reason for why I do what I do? I'm having fun."

As of now, bengals.com has officially changed his name on the site, however, there are no officially licensed jersey's marked 'Ocho Cinco' up for sale as of yet. Check back for updates as Javon Kearse and Alex Smith are rumored to be contemplating legally changing their surnames to 'The Freak' and 'Second String,' respectively.

"Farewell NFL"

"Farewell NFL," the only two words that needed to be said by Daunte Culpepper as he announced his retirement from the NFL at the age of 31 on Thursday. After a nine year NFL career that saw him on top of the world when teamed up with Randy Moss in Minnesota, but also saw him at the bottom with the Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins, Culpepper will walk away from football.

Cullpepper tried to comeback this season but after being cut by the the Raiders during training camp and failing to sign with another team, he decided it best just to hang them up.

In an email statement Cullpepper had the follow to say regarding his retirement:

"When free agency began this year, I had a new sense of excitement about continuing to rebuild my career in the same way that I had rebuilt my knee after my catastrophic injury in 2005. Unfortunately, what I found out was that the league did not share any of the optimism about me as an unrestricted free agent that I expected. In fact, there was an overwhelming sense that there was no room for me among this year's group of quarterbacks. No matter what I did or said, there seemed to be a unified message from teams that I was not welcome to compete for one of the many jobs that were available at the quarterback position.
I want to thank my family and my fans for their unwavering belief in me as a person and a player. I embraced both the peaks and the valleys of the game and my career. I am a better person today as a direct result of the experience of playing in the NFL. I can now focus on the enjoyment of watching some of the greatest athletes in the world play the game I love without the distraction of waiting for those elusive return phone calls."

Unlike other quarterbacks who have attempted to retire this year, I think Cullpepper means it. Its sad to see a player who was among the elite at one point in his career fall off the map as he did following the major knee injury in 2005. You can't help but wonder what might have been had he stayed healthy and teamed up with Moss for the extent of his career.

Champs Back At It

The defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants picked up right where they left off as they defeated the Washington Redskins 16-7 on the opening night of the NFL season.

The Giants looked in mid-season form as they scored on their first four possessions (Eli Manning 1 yard TD run and 3 John Carney field goals) en route to the victory. Newly resigned Plaxico Burress led the way offensively for the Giants with ten receptions for 133 yards while second year running back Brandon Jacobs rushed for 116 yards on twenty-one carries.

The Redskins offense, led by Clinton Portis (84 yards on twenty-four carries) and Antwaan Randle El (73 yards on seven receptions), struggled to put points up on the board against a stingy Giants defense. It was New York's first game without all pro defensive ends Jason Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. They didn't seem to lose a step as Justing Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka filled in well in their absence.

Johnson Headed to Detroit

Just days after being released by the Cincinnati Bengals Rudi Johnson has found another job. The Detroit Lions signed the veteran running back to a one year deal on Tuesday. Johnson is expected to serve as a back-up to rookie Kevin Smith at least for the time being.

To make room for Johnson on the 53 man roster the Lions cut running back Tatum Bell.

A New Number One

After the rout of Virgina this past Saturday, USC has jumped up two spots in the AP top 25 to claim the number one spot. With Georgia and Ohio State playing sub-par competition week one, it's only fair that SC gets the billing of the nations best team.

Clemson, who was in the pre-season top 10 dropped out of the top 25 all together after their loss to Alabama. Tennessee also fell out of the top 25 after a heartbreaking loss to UCLA.

First to 20

Cliff Lee's story book season added another chapter Monday night as the Indian's ace became MLB's first twenty game winner this season. Lee went the distance for Cleveland allowing no runs on five hits while recording four strikeouts in the Indians 5-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

The win makes Lee the first Cleveland pitcher to accomplish the feat since Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry did it 1974, some thirty-four years ago.

Lee's record now stands at 20-2 with a major league best 2.32 ERA this season. Those are all numbers that no one was expecting coming into the season. Lee, who spent parts of last season in AAA trying to work mechanics, was slated to be the team's fourth or fifth starter going into the season. After going 5-0 in April Lee quickly shot up the depth charts even out performing proven ace CC Sabathia prior to Sabathia's trade to Milwaukee.

Lee is certainly this season's feel good story and is the odds on favorite to win the 2008 American League CY Young award, an award given to the league's top pitcher for the year.

Ravens Go With Rookie

It may not have been their plan going into camp, but the Baltimore Ravens named 2008 first round draft pick Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback on Tuesday. Flacco will make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens were left with little choice but to go with the Delaware University graduate following pre-season injuries to other starting candidates Alex Smith (tonsils) and Kyle Boller (shoulder).

Rookie quarterbacks typically sit on the sidelines for part to a a full season learning the NFL game before being brought into the mix. The Ravens have no choice now but to throw Flacco into the fire right from the start.

This move makes Flacco the second rookie quarterback to be named a starter this season. Last week the Atlanta Falcons named first round pick Matt Ryan as their week one starter. Ryan and Flacco were the first two quarterback selected in the 2008 NFL draft.

Pats Cut Lynch

Safety John Lynch was cut by the New England Patriots on Sunday. He signed with the Pats two weeks ago after he was released by the Denver Broncos early in the preseason. Though cut, Lynch showed signs of optimism of rejoining the AFC champs at a later date, saying "I have no regrets about my time thus far with the Patriots". Patriots coach Bill Belichick said "As has been the case in other situations, I would not rule anything out down the road."

It looks like John Lynch isn't going to be that out of touch with the Patriots. Rumor has it that he was cut so he would not need to be offered a guaranteed contract. It seems to be that a reunion isn't that far in the future.

Sabathia Robbed of No-No

Milwaukee Brewers lefty CC Sabathia threw what would be considered by many to be the second no hitter of the 2008 season. Unfortunately for him, the official scorer did not share the same opinion.

Sabathia went the distance for the Brewers striking out eleven while giving up just one hit, an Adam LaRoche grounder back to Sabathia who dropped the ball after taking a few steps to his right. To many the play would have been ruled an error on Sabathia. Official scorer Bob Webb disagreed, ruling the play a hit.

''The way the ball came off the bat, it was spinning, and it went to the left of the mound with a left-handed pitcher going to get it. It's a difficult play. The definition requires standard effort, and that would have taken more than an ordinary effort. The runner was well down the line.''

Brewers manager Ned Yost strongly disagreed calling the ruling "a joke." He went on to say that the Brewers would be sending a DVD copy of the play to the league office for review.

After seeing the play several times myself, I am going to have to agree with Yost on this one. Sabathia clearly drops the ball. With his arm strength he would have had plenty of time to zip the ball over to first in time for the out. Its too bad that a little play like that cost CC a no-hitter. He has been nothing short of brilliant since his arrival in Milwaukee (9-0 1.43 ERA). The way he has been throwing lately, he has a very good chance of accomplishing the feat before the season is over. It is a shame that it couldn't have happened today.

Saturday's Big 3

Are you ready? It's the first Saturday of the college football season. Every week, I'll be taking a look at the 3 biggest games on the schedule and telling you who I like and why. So without further ado, Week 1's Big 3:

#3USC at Virgina

With the top two teams getting having cupcakes week one (Georgia v Georgia Southern, Ohio State v Youngstown State), USC has what seems to be the hardest game of the top three teams in the country. SC Quarterback Mark Sanchez, who had an injured knee, has been cleared to play in this game. Though the home fans will be charged up, and Sanchez and RB Joe McKnight will run over Virgina in this one.


#24Alabama at #9Clemson

Though this is a home game for Clemson, the game will be taking place in the Georgia dome. This will be a great SEC-ACC match up with two great head coaches going against each other. I'll be excited to see how Nick Sabin uses top wide out recruit Julio Jones, but Clemson has too much offensive firepower with a very underrated quarterback in Cullen Harper and two amazing running backs, James Davis and C.J. Spiller. I'll Take the Tigers over the Tide.


#20Illinois at #6Missouri

In what looks to be the most enticing game of Week One, Juice Williams and Illinois take on Heisman Hopefuls QB Chase Daniel and RB/WR/KR speedster Jeremy Maclin of Missouri. The Illini made a surprising run in to the BCS last year, getting beat by USC, and Missouri just missing out with a loss to Kansas. In a game that looks to be a barn-burner, I look to Missouri's defense to shut down Juice and Co. and get the win.